Victor Vito insists that he has not been put out by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett's decision to overlook him for the role of captain for the upcoming Super Rugby campaign.

Vito led the Wellington outfit for a few games at the tail end of last season after regular skipper Andrew Hore fell out with Hammett. In light of Hore's subsequent departure, Vito was a prime candidate to take over as captain. However, that honour has instead been bestowed upon his All Blacks team-mate Conrad Smith.

"I didn't mind," Vito is quoted as saying by Fairfax NZ News. "If anything, I'm quite happy because he's always been a leader just by the way he played and everything he does. I'll be willing to be part of any leadership group that has him at the helm."

Vito realised a dream this year by helping the All Blacks end their agonising wait for a second World Cup title and he is now determined to land some silverware with the Hurricanes.

"Some people might say 'well what else have you got to work towards after winning a World Cup?' But I've got a new challenge with the Hurricanes because we still haven't won anything yet," he said. "That's the next challenge."